Ayasofya Central News (ACN)

[Ayasofya]

ACN
Special Report


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The Commerce and Foreign Affairs Directorates announced plans today to establish a trade outpost on the sparsely-inhabited island in the northern Lyric Sea, known locally as Eilean Earball Muc-mhara (Whale Tail Island), to act as a staging area for the long journey to the trade corridor through the Long and Kalahari Seas.

"Right now many of our major trade routes run through the Gothic Sea," the Commerce Director noted, "and with the political instability in the region, it would be wise to diversify our holdings. With the ending of the Kadikistani embargo of Justiza, that region has become a prime candidate expanded trade."

The Foreign Affairs Director concurred, adding, "Outside of the scholarly collaboration in our oilthighean (universities) in Rannoch and Adas that has lasted for almost a century, we have had very little commercial or cultural exchange with the greater world. We hope that establishing this facility will facilitate our emergence on the world stage." After pausing for a moment, the director added with a chuckle, "You can't interact with a world that you can't reach."

The harbor will be prepared later this week and, while prioritizing Hagian ships, will be open for business to ships flying the flags of all nation. Plans to be enacted later this year including improvements to the harbor, the construction of an airstrip to ease the fuel requirements of the otherwise taxing flight, and a trade center for merchants.

While not explicitly stated in the either the official dispatch, the long-term settlement of Eilean Earball Muc-mhara by Hagian representatives seemed strongly implied.

 

[Kadikistani Union]

SECRET COMMUNIQUÉ
FROM: Gen. Ivan Tsjekova, Chairman of the Council of People's Commissariats for Trade, Agriculture, Fishing and Industry (Democratic Republic of Kadikistan)
TO: Commerce and Foreign Affairs Directorates (The Hagian Consortium)
RE: Trade Proposal

Esteemed colleagues,

I was informed that your nation is looking for trade partners in the Long Sea, surely you have also considered expanding your horizon to the Kalahari Sea. Due to external factors Kadikistan is looking for new markets to export its exces petroleum/oil production. We can offer a great quantity of this resource at very competitive prices. We can guarantee a stable and steady income of petroleum as we have the resources and the infrastructure for such endeavours. Because we realize that our nation is facing much hostility from other members of the international community we can conduct our economic partnership discretely.

Should you agree my government will make sure to look favourably to opening the massive Kadikistani markets for Ayasofya business.

Signed,
_X_
General Ivan Tsjekova
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissariats for Trade, Agriculture, Fishing and Industry

 

[Ayasofya]

SECRET COMMUNIQUE
FROM: Office, The Director of Commerce, The Hagian Consortium
TO: Gen. Ivan Tsjekova, Chairman of the Council of People's Commissariats for Trade, Agriculture, Fishing, and Industry (Democratic Republic of Kadikistan)
CC: Office, The Director of Foreign Affairs, The Hagian Consortium
RE: Trade Proposal

Honored General,

You offer interests us. While we have oil fields of our own, we do not currently possess the infrastructure necessary to access it in great quantities. Even then, given the weather conditions in the area, we would not be able to produce it as cheaply as your illustrious nation.

We propose purchasing 20 million barrels of crude a month for the next six months while we further develop our own oil fields. After that, we will gradually scale down our imports to 5 million barrels a month. Because your supplies are much cheaper than ours, continuing to import some oil for the foreseeable future will be an excellent cost control measure. In addition, we hope that this purchase will lead to further economic opportunities in the future for both our nations.

The Foreign Affairs Directorate has communicated its approval for such expanded commercial ties with your great nation on the following conditions:

• That the Kadiki People's Government gives Hagian metals and timber increased priority when making purchasing decisions;
• That Kadikistani trade ships make harbor at the trading center currently under expansion on Eilean Earball Muc-mhara in the north Lyric Sea; and
• That expanded trade relations be kept confidential during the initial six month purchase period.

This will satisfy the concerns of the current isolationist government while allowing trade to be largely unfettered.

We await your response. If in the affirmative, we will dispatch a trade mission forthwith to negotiate the final details.

Signed,

_X_

Tadgh Para Ruaidh c. Haestrom
Director of Commerce
Directorate of Commerce

 

[Ayasofya]

ACN
Business Times
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​A manufacturing facility for plastics has finished construction outside of Adas. Using oil from the Adas oil fields and research from Oilthigh Adas, the plant is designed to mass produce kinds of plastic not available previously such as polypropylene and an improved polystyrene.

"We believe that our products will change the world," one plant official is quoted as saying. "Once people see how versatile and unique our materials are, we know that they will be eager and excited to purchase. The product nearly sells itself."

When asked about the problematic costs of drilling into the Adas oil fields, the official explained, "While the oil produced by Adas is still somewhat expensive, we believe that we may have found a solution to that problem. Regardless, once consumers experience our plastics, they'll be willing to pay even a premium price. The product is that good."

The Directorate of Commerce, the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Education, and the Directorate of Natural Development and Conservation have all invested in the project at different stages of development. The directors issued a joint statement today expressing joy at the progress made over the last several years and optimism in the positive effects this project will have for "the Hagian economy and academic reputation globally."

 

[Kadikistani Union]

SECRET COMMUNIQUÉ
FROM: Gen. Ivan Tsjekova, Chairman of the Council of People's Commissariats for Trade, Agriculture, Fishing and Industry (Democratic Republic of Kadikistan)
TO: Commerce and Foreign Affairs Directorates (The Hagian Consortium)
RE: Trade Proposal

Esteemed colleagues,

We greatly enjoy the professional approach of our esteemed new partners in the Hagian Consortium. We agree to your most righteous terms and hope this is the start of a mutually beneficial economic cooperation between our two fine nations. We look forward to expanding our economic cooperation in the future and strengthening our partnership.

Signed,
_X_
General Ivan Tsjekova
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissariats for Trade, Agriculture, Fishing and Industry

 

[Ayasofya]

ACN
Business Times
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ADAS (ACN) | Today the Directorates of Commerce, Foreign Affairs, and Internal Development and Conservation announced that the Veniasufian Royal Petroleum (VRP) will be purchasing a minority share (25%) of the project to develop the Adas oil fields in exchange for a share of oil profits. "We want to assure our fellow Hagians that we would never allow a foreign entity to control our national resources," the statement said. "Instead, this is a way for us to pay for the expertise that VRP brings to the table without surrendering control."

The government has so far been unable to overcome many of the hurdles towards making Hagian oil cost effective due to the challenges associated with drilling in the tundra. "We are excited to have the great experience of the VRP petroleum engineers working closely with our own engineers currently working on the project, and hope that it brings greater economic ties between our two peoples."

After the plan was made public, the chancellors office put out the following terse statement:

"It has been the tradition of this government to allow the directorates to largely operate in whatever ways seemed appropriate to them in fulfilling their democratically-chosen mandates, including working with allied nations in many commercial and scientific endeavors. However, the purchase of part of the bounties of An Shiorruidh Tuath, even as a minority share, without the consultation of the elected leaders of the people, is deeply troubling. While no action will be taken against the project at this time, a committee will be formed in the Diet to oversee future deals with foreign bodies involving the surrender of part of our homeland."

It is not clear what authority this new committee will have, if it will actually interfere with the directorates, or if it is meant solely as a political gesture. ▲

 

[Ayasofya]

ACN
Government News
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RANNOCH (ACN) | It was to be a certain vote in closed session. At stake was the vote to determine whether an ambassador should be sent to the International House in Ivernia. With both parties in the government being isolationist and controlling 65% of the vote, the proposal seemed DOA.

Until the Hagian Technocratic Union (HTU) defected, that is. Then the Diet erupted in chaos.

During the closed session, the announcement that the HTU would be voting with the opposition on the issue sent political shock waves that, it is reported, still have not subsided. While leaders of all the parties have chosen not to speak on the results officially, several members have come forward anonymously to tell perhaps the most stunning political story in a generation.

"We thought that we had this wrapped up," said one member of the United Ayasofya Party (UAP). "That's what we get for trusting those technocrat dogs. This is a slippery slope we've embarked upon."

"There is a difference between remaining separate and becoming xenophobic," a member of HTU counters. "The International House passes non-binding resolutions only. Denying Ayasofya a voice in international affairs to prove a political point does not help our sovereignty, it only hurts our ability to use it effectively."

As of now, a no-confidence vote seems unlikely as HTU and UAP still align closely on most issues; however, this will become a point of differentiation in the upcoming electoral battle between the two powerhouses next year, which may see the HTU regaining the top spot for the first time in 20 years.

"I'm still dumbfounded, honestly," commented a senior member of the Ayasofya Primacy Party (APP). "We had put forward the resolution as a largely symbolic gesture and were confused when the HTU called for a closed session." He chuckles. "I thought they were trying to save our dignity from the drumming we were about to receive. No one could have predicted the results. I am hoping this is a harbinger of closer ties between the HTU and the opposition."

While it the vote in a closed session is not made public, it is known that the vote passed comfortably. The petition to join the the International House was submitted by the Directorate of Foreign Affairs a few days ago. The currently status of the application is not known. ▲